Film winding and gate opening mechanism



July 11, 1939.

A. E. SCHUBERT FILM WINDING AND GATE OPENING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 7, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 a x m Q A/w'n 5 Jc/wbrz INVENTOR ATTORNEYS y 11,1939. 'A. E. swam 2,165,419

FILM W INDING AND GATE OPENING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 7, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 f/ad M7,, 7 AT omvm's J91)" 11 193 A. E. SCHUBERT 2,165 419 FILM WINDING AND GATE OPENING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 7, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 g A/w'n E. Sc/zubrl l N VEN TQR ATTORNEYS Patented July 11, 1939 FILM WINDING AND GATE OPENING MECHANISM Alvin n. Schubert, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.' Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application October '7, 1937, Serial No. 167,749

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for producing enlarged images carried by a film strip on a viewing screen, and more particularly to a winding mechanism for both moving the film strip through the film gate and for automatically opening the latter prior to such movement. This mechan sm is particularly intended for use with a viewing device of the general type shown and described in the patent to R. S. Hopkins, No. 2,008,982, I issued July 23, 1935. It is contemplated, however, that various other forms of viewing devices may be used without departing from the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

One object of the invention is the provision of I a winding mechanism which simultaneously opens the film gate and moves the film strip therethrough.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such a mechanism by which the film strip may be selectively moved in either direction through the film gate.

A further object 'oi the invention is the provision of an arrangement whereby a selected part of an image carried by a film strip may be pro,-

jected onto aviewing screen.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a gate opening mechanism which is operated and controlled by the film winding mechanism and is in proper timed relation thereto.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a film gate construction which is so arranged that the opening of the gate is controlled by the film winding mechanism in such a manner that the gate is always open whenever the film 5 strip is moved; and, on the completion of the winding operation, the film gate automatically closes to securely clamp the film strip to hold the latter in a plane for projection.

Astill further object of the invention is the o provision of a film winding and gate opening mechanism of the class described, which is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and highly efiective in use.

To these and other ends, the invention resides ,5 in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a portion of a device for viewing, enlarged images of miniature film areas, showing a film winding and gate opening mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1, showing the arrangement of the various parts of the film winding and gate opening mechanism;

Fig. 3 is aview similar to Fig. 1, showing a. modified arrangement of a film feeding and gate opening mechanism adapted for use with a viewing device of the class described;

Fig. 4 is an elevation view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 3, as viewed from the left of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of a portion of an enlarged device, showing another modification of a film winding and gate operating mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation view of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5, and viewed from the right of the latter, showing the mechanism utilized for scanning the film strip; and

Fig. '7 is a view of a portion of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 5 and taken substantially on the line 'I! of the latter and looking in the direction of the arrow, showing the arrangement of the film gate parts and the operating means therefor.

Similar reference numerals throughout the various views indicate the same parts.

The present invention relates, in its broadest aspects, to a film winding and gate opening mechanism primarily designed for use in a machine for enlarging small areas of printed matter which have been.recorded on miniature film. A machine of this general type is shown and described in the patent to R. S. Hopkins, No. 2,008,982, issued May,23, 1935. The invention is, however, embodied in a mechanism which is not only adapted to move the film strip in either direction through the film gate so as to bring the desired image area of thestrip into position to be projected, but also opens the gate prior tothe movement of the film strip therein. By means of this arrangement, the gate is always open whenever the film strip is moved, thus preventing scratching or marring of the latter. When, however, the desired picture area has been brought into position in the film'gate, the winding mechanism is released, and the gate automatically closes to securely clamp the film in a plane for projecting. The mechanism of the present invention is adapted to be mounted on the top of a suitable housing or cabinet, not shown, so that the enlarged image may be projected down ardly onto a suitable viewing screen which preferably forms the bottom of the housing. The light source and the optical members, not shown, mayalso be carried by the housing top. This cabinet, light source, and optical system, may be of any suitable and well known construction, such for example of the general type shown and described in the above-mentioned patent to Hopkins, and need not be herein further described-.'

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a film winding and gate opening mechanism constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The gate member, generally indicated by the numeral comprises a stationary memher I2 suitably secured to the top of the cabinet, and a movable member l3 slidably mounted thereon. These members are connected by a coil spring I which normally tends to move the movable memberl3 toward the stationary member l2 to close the gate, as is apparent. Each of the gate members hassecured thereto, by screws l5 or other suitable fastening means, a U-shaped metal flange l6 which is adapted to receive and support a strip of transparent sheet material l1, such for-example as a glass fiat. When thegate is in closed position, the adjacent parallel faces of these glass flats cooperate to clamp an image area of the film strip F to hold said area in flat position for projecting, .in a manner clearly shown through the gate. In order to prevent marring to Fig. 1, it is apparent that, if the member 22 is.-

rotated in either direction, about the axis .of the shaft 23, one of the arms 2| will engage one of the pins 20, thus moving the gate member l3 in the direction of the arrow to open the gate. The

particular pins and'arm which thus engage obviously depend upon the direction of the rotation of the member 22 on the shaft 23. The member 22 is held in position on the shaft 23 between a pair of spaced upper and lower collars 25 and 21 respectively, each of which is rigidly secured to the shaft 23 by means of a pin-23, or other suitable fastening means. A coil spring 29 is interposed between-the lower collar 21 and the lower side or face 30 of the member 22 to yieldably press the upper side or face 3| thereof into frictional engagement with the under side of the upper collar 26, as will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 2. The engaging surfaces of the member 22 and the collar 25 thus provide, in effect, a friction clutch by which the member 22 may be frictionally driven or moved upon the rotation of the shaft 23, the purpose of which construction will be pointed out later.

The shaft 23 has also mounted on the other end thereof a bevel gear 35, which meshes with a similar gear 38 secured't'o the shaft 31, which may be rotated by means of an endless chain 38 e a sprocket 39 secured to the shaft 31, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The chain also extends over a similar sprocket 42 secured to the shaft 43, which may be rotated by a suitable hand crank or handle, not shown, in a manner illustrated and described in the above mentioned patent to Hopkins. It is apparent that the shaft 23 may be rotated in either direction by means of the hand crank, so as to bring one of the arms 2| of the member 22 into engagement withone of the pins 20, as shown in Fig. 1, to move the movable gate member l3 in the direction of the arrow to open the gate. A stop '45 limits the movement of the gate member l3. Engagement of the member. |3 with the stop, however, not only limits the movement of the gate member I3, but also the rotation of the member 22, as is apparent. Further rotation of the shaft 31 will now cause slipping between the engaged surfaces of the member 22 and the collar 25.

The shaft 23 has loosely mounted thereon, in any suitable well known manner, a pair of spaced grooved pulleys 50, each of which is connected by a belt 5| to a similar pulley 52 secured to a reel spindle 53 adapted to receive a film reel, not shown. A pawl 55 on each of the pulleys is arranged to engage a ratchet 56 secured to and rotatable with the shaft 23, so that the pulleys 50 may be clutched to and rotated with the shaft 23 uponthe rotation of the latter. The

pawls and ratchet are, however, so arranged that the rotation of the shaft 23 in one direction operatively connect one of the pulleys 58 thereto, and the rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction operatively connects the other pulley thereto. By means of this arrangement, the film strip F may be selectively moved in either direction through the film gate upon the rotation of the hand crank. v

The above construction thus permits the winding of the film strip from either of the film reels so as to bring the desired area of the film strip into projecting position in the film gate. The mechanism is, however, so constructed that one of the arms 2| willengage and move the cooperating pin 20 to open the gate just prior to the engagement of one of the pawls with its ratchet 56. Thus the gate, U will always be open whenever the film strip is moved therein so as to prevent marring or scratching'of the strip, the disadvantages of which are well known to those in the art. It is thus apparent that the opening of the film gate and the winding of the film strip are in proper timed relation, and that the gate opening mechanism is operated and controlled by the film winding mechanism.

After the desired image area has been brought intoposition in the film gate, the hand crank is released. The spring M then moves the mova-. ble member l3 toward-the stationary member II to clamp the film strip F in fiat position for projecting. This movement of the gate member I! carries the pin 20 so as to move the arm 2| of the member 22 to rotate the latter to the position shown in full line, Fig. 1.

' Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, there is shown 'a slightly modified arrangement by which the film gate may be opened as the film strip F moves in either direction therethrough. The parts corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2 are designated by the same numerals. A flat member 53 of the shape best shown in Fig. 3, is loosely mounted on the shaft 23 and is held in position thereon between spaced collars 6| and 82 which are secured to the shaft 23 by pins 53, or other sutiable fastening means. This arrangement is somewhat similar to that shown in Fig. 2.. A

flat spring 55, of the shape best shown in Fig. 4, 76

is positioned between the lower collar 02 and the member '00 to yleldably press the latter into i'rictional engagement with the under side of the uppper collar The engaging surfaces of the member 60 and the collar 0| thus provide a friction clutch by means of which the member 00 may be rotated uponrotation of the shaft 23 in either direction. When the member 00 is thus rotated, it engages one of the pins 20 of the movable gate member II to open the gate, as described in connection with Figs. 1 and'2.

A gear 10 is secured to the under side of the lower collar 62 so as to rotate as a unit therewith. While the collar 02 and the gear 10 are preferabb' made as separate units and then fastened together, it is contemplated that these members may be formed integral if desired. The gear 10 meshes with and drives a pair of pinions 1| loosely mounted on spindles 12 carried by the opposite ends of the member 00, as clearly Illustrated in Fig. 3. Sleeves or bushings 13 surround the spindles 12 and are interposed between the arm 00 in the gears 1| so as to position the latter in the plane of the gear 10, as shown in Fig. 4. By means of this arrangement, the rotation of the shaft 23 will rotate the gear 10 and hence the gears 1|, the latter, however, rotating in opposite directions as is apparent.

The initial rotation of the shaft 23 in either direction will first move the member 60 intoengagement with one of the pins 20 to open the gate II, the stop 45 limiting said movement. Further rotation of the shaft will now bring one of the gears 1| into mesh wtih a gear 15 secured to the end of one of the reel spindles 53, as shown in Fig. 3, the member 60 slipping on the collar 0| during this further rotation. When the gear 1| has been thus moved into engagement with the gear 15, further rotation of the shaft 23 by the hand crank will rotate the reel spindle 53 to wind the film strip onto the film reel positioned thereon. However, rotation of the shaft 23 in the opposite directionwill first open the film gate II and then move the other gear 1| into engagement with the gear 15 on the other reel spindle 53. tively connected to and rotated by the winding handle or crank, the film gate being opened in timed relation with the movement of the film, as in the case of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is thus apparent that, in this embodiment, the gate opening mechanism is also operated and controlled by the film winding mechanism.

It is evident upon inspection of Fig. 3 that,

when one of the gears 1| engages the cooperating gear 15, the center of the gears 10, 1| and 15 are not in alignment. Such an arrangement thus affords, in efiect, a toggle, one arm of which constitutes the imaginary line connecting the centers of the gears 1| and 15, and the other arm comprises the imaginary line connecting the center of the gears 10 and 1|. Rotation of the shaft 23 tends to straighten out these toggle arms, thus securely holding the gear 1| in meshing engagement with the gear '15, the force tending to straighten the toggle arms being applied at the spindle 12 about which the gear 1| rotates. After the film has been moved to bring the desired image area into position in the film gate II, the winding crank is released. The spring N then closes the gate, thus causing one of the pins 20 to engage the member 60 to move the latter to the inoperative or full line position shown in Fig. 3. I! desired, an auxiliary coil spring 00 may be Thus, either spindle may be selecutilized to assist in returning the member 00 to its inoperative position. This spring 00 has one end thereof secured to one of the spindles 12 while the other end is anchored to a post 0| se-v cured to the machine casing, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3.

Referring now to Figs. to 7, there is shown still another modification of the gate opening and film winding mechanism for projector. Parts corresponding to those in the above described figures will be designated by the same numerals. In this embodiment, the stationaryand movable gate members 90 and 9| respectively are in the form of fiat plates, of the shape best shown in Fig. 5. The coil spring I4 connects these gate members and thus tends to hold them in closed position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. These plates are also provided with cooperating glass flats I1 between which the film strip F is clamped, and are formed with the registering apertures I8, through which the light rays may pass. The stationary member 90 is secured by rivets 93, or other fastening means, to a plate 94, the purpose of which will be hereinafter pointed out. The lower end of the stationary gate member 90 is formed to provide a pair of substantially parallel plate members or wings 91, which overlie a pair of corresponding plate members or wings 98 formed on the lower portion of the movable gate member 9|, all as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and '7. member I00 overlies the members 91 and is connected to the members 98 by means of rivets IOI extending through elongated slot I02 in the members 91, as shown in Fig. 7. Thus, when the member I00 is moved, by a mechanism to be later described, in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 5, the movable gate member 9| is moved to open the gate. Upon release of the member I00, however, the spring I4 moves the movable member 9| toward the stationary member 90 to close the gate, as is apparent. The movable gate member 9| and the U-shaped member I00 are thus supported by the stationary gate member 90, which in turn is carried by the plate 94, so that the latter may be broadly considered as supporting means for both of the gate members. A rectangular bracket I05 is supported from the machine casing I00, and has mounted in the opposite arms I01 thereof a shaft or spindle I00, on which is loosely mounted a pair of spaced grooved pulleys I09, similar to the pulleys 50. These pulleys I09 are connected by belts 5| to the pulleys 52 mounted on the reel spindle 53 which carry the reel films IIO. A helical gear II5 is also rotatably and slidably mounted on the shaft I00 intermediate the pulleys I09, and engages a complementary helical gear IIB mounted on the shaft II1 carried by the side arm 8 of the bracket I05. The shaft 1 may be connected to a suitable control means, such for example as the chain drive 38 shown in Fig. l, by which the shaft II1 may be rotated in either direction. A pair of fiat T-shaped members I20 of any suitable material, preferably metal, are pivotally mounted at |2|, on the other side arm I22 of the bracket I05, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. The stem I23 of these T-shaped members I20 are provided with laterally projecting pins I24 which diametrically extend into a circumferential groove or slot I25 of a collar I26 formed integral with or rigidly secured to the side of the helical gear II5. Arms I21 of the two T-shaped members I20 are rigidly connected by cross pieces I28 positioned on opposite sides of the pivot point I2 I. see Fig. 5. The curved ends.of the arms I21 engage elon- A U -shaped' gated bearingsurfaces I30 formed on connecting portions of the U-shaped member I00.

Referring now to Fig. 5, it is apparent that, if the gear H5 is slit axially of the shaft I08, this movement, by reason of the engagement of the pins I24 in the slot I25, will pivot the member I20 upon its pivot point I2I. This pivoting of the member I20 will cause the ends of one of the arms I21 thereof to engage the adjacent bearing surface I30 of the member I00 to move or slide the latter to the right, as viewed in Fig. 5. As the member I00 is connected, by rivets IN, to the members orwings 98, the movable gate member 9| will also be moved to the right to open the gate I I.

As is well known, the rotation of a pairof helical gears will impart an axial thrust to the driven gear members. This thrust will cause'the gear II5 to slide axially on the shaft I08 to pivot the member I20 and in turn movethe member I00 and the movable gate member 90 toopen the gate as above described. As the gear H5 slides along the shaft I08, a tooth clutch member L32 thereof finally engages acomplementary tooth clutch member-I33 carried by the pulleys I09 to connect one of the pulleys to the gear 5. Engagement of these clutch members, however, occurs after the opening of the gate, so that the latterwill always be open whenever the film strip moves therein. The particular pulley I09 which is connected to thelgear II5 depends, of course, on the direction or movement of the gear 'I I5, as will be apparent to those in the art.

After one of the pulleys I09 has'been thus clutched to the gear H5, further rotation of the shaft II1 will rotate one of the reel spindles 53 to wind the film strip onto the film reel IIO. It is thus apparent that either of the reel spindles 53 may be selectively connected to the winding mechanism so that the film strip may be wound in either direction through the film gate to bring the desired image area into position Ltherein. It

is also apparent that the gate opening mechanism is operatively connected to and controlled by the film winding mechanism in timed relation thereto. When the desired film area has been brought into position in the film gate, the hand crank may be released.. The coil spring I4 will then-move the gate member 9! and the member I00 to the left. as viewed in Fig. 5. This movement of the member I00 will pivot the member I20 about its pivot I 2! to slide the gear 5 axially to dis ngage the clutch members I32 and I33.

The arrangements embodied in the present application are primarily designed for enlarging projected at one time is approximately onequarter of the full size of the image, as fully described in the above-mentioned patent to Hopkins, and illustrated in Fig. 5 thereof. To this end, means may be provided for scanning the film strip so that the various one-quarter areas may be brought into projecting position.

Referring again to Figs. 5 to 7, there is shown an arrangement for scanning the film strip. As pointed out above, the stationary gate member 90 is secured by rivets 93 to a plate 94. This plate is also provided with' apertures, not shown, through which the reel spindle 53 may project.

Sleeves I35 surround each of the spindles 53 and are interposed between the plate 94 and the film reels I I0 to position the latter relative to the film gate. These sleeves, as well as-the spindles 53,

project through openings I36 formed in the horiwith the adjacent sleeve I35. The lower portion of the left hand spindle 53, Fig. 6, issupported in a bearing I59 which is carried by a bracket I40,

' depending from the under side of the plate 94 othersuitand secured thereto by screws I, or able fasteningmeans.

The ends of the plate 94 have mounted thereon a pair of depending sleeves I which are slidably mounted on guide rods I46 suitably secured to the under side of the horizontal'portion I21 of the machine casing. When these sleeves are moved, in a manner to be described presently, relative' to the guides I46, the plate 94, the film gate II and the filmreels IIO are moved as a unit relative tothe stationary lens barrel I50, so that the film strip may be moved across the axis of the optical member in the barrel to permit scanning of the film strip, as is well known tothose in the art.

This movement of the sleeves I45 may be secured, for example, by means of cams I5I, which are mounted on a shaft I52 journaled in bearings 153 formed on or secured to depending side portions I54 of the machine casing. The shaft cams I5I will engage the lower surfaces I55 of the sleeves I45 to lift the latter, the plate 94, the film reels H0 and the film gate II. In order to permit the movement of the cams I5I, the lower end of the guide rods I45 are slotted at I55 to receive the cams, as shown in Fig. 6;

By means of the above arrangement, the shaft I" may be selectively rotated in either direction to move the film strip in the desired direction through the film gate. Prior to such moveopened to prevent scratching or marring of the film strip. Furthermore, the film strip maybe moved across the optical field to permit scanning of the strip, for the reasons above pointed out.

that the present invention provides an arrangement for simultaneously'opening the film gate and for moving the film strip therein. The opening of the film gateis in proper timed relation to the movement of the film strip so that the gate will always be open when the .strip is moved therethrough. Furthermore, the gate opening mechanism is operated and controlled by the film I52 may be rotated by a suitable crank not shown. Thus, when the shaft I52 is rotated, the

-ment, however, the film gate is automatically It is thus apparent from the above description,

winding mechanism. In addition, the film strip may be moved in either direction through the film gate at the will of the operator so as to bring or return a. desired image area into projecting position.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it ,is to be understood that the inventive ideas may be carried out in a number of ways. This application is, therefore, not

I20-be limited to the precise details described,-.but

is intended'tdcover all variations and modifications thereof fallingwithin the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: 7

l. A device for projecting enlarged images comprising, in combination, a film gate, said gate comprising a stationary member and a movable member, resilient means connecting said members and tending to move said movable member toward said stationary member to close said gate, r

.on said shaft, a friction clutch for connecting said arm to said shaft so that said arm may be moved by the rotation of said shaft to engage said movable member to open said gate, means for limiting the movement of said arm, a gear mounted on said shaft, a pair of gears carried by the opposite ends of said arm and meshing with said first mentioned gear so as to be, driven thereby, one of, said pair of gears being movable into engagement with a cooperating gear on one of said spindles when said shaft is rotated in one direction, and the otherof said pair of gears being movable into engagement with a cooperating gear on the other of said spindles when said shaft is rotated in the opposite direction, said gears providinga driving connection between said shaft and said spindle whereby the latter may be rotated in timed relation to the opening of said gate.

2. A device vfor projecting enlarged images, comprising, in combination, a film gate, a pair of spindles adjacent said gate and adapted to sup-, port reels on which a film strip may be wound, means for rotating one of said reels to draw said strip from the other of said reels and through said gate, saidgate comprising a stationary member and a movable member adapted to engagev and hold said strip in fiat position, meansfor resiliently holding said gate members in filrn clamping position, a lug on said movable member, an arm loosely mounted on said rotating means and normally out of engagement with said lugs but engageable therewith only upon operation of the said rotating means to move said movable member relative to said stationary member to open said gate, and afriction clutch' for operatively connecting said arm to said rotating means.

3. A device for projecting enlarged images, comprising, in combination, a film gate, a pair of said shaft.

spindles adjacent said gate and adapted to support reels'on which a film strip may be wound,

means for rotating one'of said reels to draw said strip from the other of said reels and through said gate, said gate comprising a stationary member and a movable member adapted to engage and hold said strip in flat position, means for resiliently holding said gate members in film clamping position, a pair of spaced lugs on said movable member, a flat member loosely mounted on said rotating means, said lastmentioned member having a portion thereof arranged to engage one of said lugs when said rotating means is rotated in one direction and the other portion adapted to engage the other of said lugs when said rotating means is rotated in the opposite direction to open said gate, means for maintaining ,said flat member in position on said rotating means, and a friction clutch for operatively connecting said fiat member to said rotating means so as to be moved thereby.

4; A device for projecting enlarged images comprising, in combination, a film gate, a pair' of film spindles positioned on opposite sides of said gate and adapted to support reels on which a film strip may be wound, a shaft, manual means for selectively rotating said shaft in opposite direction, a radially extending arm loosely mounted on said shaft, a friction clutch for connecting said arm to said shaft so that said arm may be spindles to said shaft, and the other of said pair of gears being movable into engagement with 'a cooperating gear on the other of said spindles when said shaft is rotated in the opposite direction to operatively connect said other spindle to ALVIN s. mm, 

